By Mphatso Nkuonera
On 13th February 2026, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika officially delivered the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe, outlining his administration’s development agenda to strong endorsement from some of the country’s Paramount Chiefs.
In his address, President Mutharika emphasised food security, improved transport infrastructure, strengthened security systems, enhanced healthcare services, and sustainable community development as the key pillars of his government’s policy direction.
Paramount Chief Themba la Mathemba Chikulamayembe hailed the President for introducing the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund, describing it as a transformative initiative for communities across the country.
“We take this as a great opportunity to transform our livelihoods, and that transformation should translate into national development.
As chiefs, we must mobilise our subjects to rally behind the government and ensure that those handling resources are prudent and that the funds are used for their intended purposes. The K5 billion Constituency Development Fund is a game changer,” said Chikulamayembe.Paramount Chief Kaduya described the SONA as a beacon of hope for the healthcare and agriculture sectors.
“Chiefs are happy because maize, the staple grain, is now affordable. No one is failing to purchase it at the household level, unlike before when people went to bed on empty stomachs and knocked on chiefs’ doors for food support.
The provision of the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) is a milestone that will make hunger a thing of the past,” he said.
He further welcomed the planned construction of new health facilities and increased funding for the sector.
“As indicated, we will have new health facilities, which is commendable. More importantly, the increase in the health budget by K17 billion has improved the availability of essential medicines and the provision of vaccinations.
I am hopeful for a healthy Malawi,” said Paramount Chief Kaduya.
Inkosi ya Makhosi Mmbelwa underscored the importance of education in national development and expressed satisfaction with the President’s commitment to expanding access at all levels.
“The introduction of free secondary education is a bold move that will undoubtedly benefit many of our youth, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This, coupled with other initiatives, will go a long way in bridging the education gap and fostering national development,” said Mmbelwa.He also welcomed the President’s mention of community and technical skills colleges.
He said many young people need practical skills to succeed, stressing the importance of designing skills development programmes that match job market demands. He expressed hope that such measures will empower more citizens to contribute meaningfully to national growth.
To further strengthen the education sector, Mmbelwa recommended increased investment in infrastructure development and the recruitment of more teachers, particularly in rural areas, to ensure equitable access to quality education.
“I am also pleased that the President mentioned Mmbelwa University, which will now receive funding. This is a huge national project that is dear to our hearts.
For a long time, it has been reduced to mere political rhetoric. The people of Mzimba look forward to its fruition,” he said.
He further urged the government to take road infrastructure development seriously.
“Most of our roads are in bad shape. In Mzimba, poor road networks make it difficult to transport crops to markets despite the district’s fertile land.
It is the hope of the people of Mzimba that the roads currently under construction will be completed and that other critical roads will also be identified and developed,” Mmbelwa said.
He concluded by noting that the effectiveness of the Farm Input Subsidy Programme in areas such as Mzimba largely depends on improved road infrastructure, as some areas have not yet received their allocations due to poor road access.
